Prep Baseball Report

KY/TN Fall Prospect Games at Murray State: Team Red Catchers & Outfielders



By Chris Fuller
PBR Kentucky/Tennessee

The PBR Kentucky/Tennessee Fall Prospect Games at Murray State University took place on October 18 and drew players from both states to showcase their abilities in a combination showcase/game play event. There were some solid performances turned in, and several young players attending their first PBR event established themselves as players to watch closely over the next few years.

The following is a look at the Team Red catchers and outfielders from the event. This is position analysis only. Those players who also pitched at the event will have their pitching performance featured in a subsequent article.

The complete stats and top statistical performers from the event were previously posted. CLICK HERE to view that information.

Catchers

James Dodd, C, R/R, McCracken County HS (KY), 2018
6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed hitter with frame that projects well, hits from a balanced stance, loads back slightly with front foot and has a short stride, short swing path that produces line drives to the gaps, shows quick hands on inner half getting the barrel to the baseball, generates good bat speed for age, 84 mph exit velocity off the tee, followed up good round of BP with solid 2-for-3 performance in game play with singles to left and center field, ran 4.65 down the line. Shows promise behind the plate with good arm strength at 77 mph, good athleticism behind the plate, 2.05-2.14 pop times will continue to improve as release gets quicker, very interesting young player.

Austin Hash, C, R/R, Campbellsville HS (KY), 2016
6-foot-4, 220-pound strong-framed catcher, right-handed hitter hits from a slightly open stance and squares up with a toe tap and short stride, uses lower half to generate above average bat speed, 86 mph exit velocity off the tee, creates some natural lift with swing and shows good pull-side power, ran 4.93 down the line, went 0-for-2 in game play with two fly outs (had to leave early for football). Solid receiver, quick footwork that stays online, short over the top release, 76 mph arm strength, makes strong and accurate throws to the bag, 1.98-2.06 pop times (previous best 1.94), solid uncommitted catcher.

Kaden Dreier, C, R/R, Brentwood HS (TN), 2018
6-foot-1, 210-pound right-handed hitter with strong lower half, hits from a slightly open stance, loads back on front foot and gets to square with a longer stride, good strength in swing that generates bat speed, 83mph exit velocity off the tee, showed flashes of pull-side power in good round of BP, ran 4.87 down the line, went 1-for-3 in game play with a single to left field. Solid receiver behind the plate with soft glove hand, quick footwork that stays online, quick high-3/4 release, 73 mph velocity from the crouch with 1.97-2.08 pop times. Dreier shows a good combination of offensive and defensive ability.

Drew Johnson, C, R/R, Brentwood HS (TN), 2016
5-foot-11, 200-pound strong-framed right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance with a toe tap and minimal stride, swing produces some natural lift, uses fame to generate bat speed, 84 mph exit velocity off the tee, has a pull approach with flashes of power, went 1-for-3 in game play with a single to left field, ran 5.09 down the line. Shows average arm strength behind the plate at 70 mph, footwork stays online, quick transfer and release, pop times ranged from 2.12-2.20 with mostly accurate throws to the bag.

Outfielders

Jaxson Smith, OF, L/R, South Warren HS (KY), 2017
6-foot-4, 210-pound left-handed hitter with athletic frame that projects well, hits from a slightly open stance and gets to square with a short stride, good balance in swing, impressed in BP with a solid, line-drive producing swing, flashes some gap power and projects for more, 84 mph exit velocity off the tee, ran 4.83 down the line, went 0-for-3 in game play. Defensively, plays through the ball, long high-3/4 release, accurate throws with on line carry, 81 mph arm strength. Smith has made significant strides in all areas of his game since his previous even (July 2014).

Brady Moore, OF/MIF, R/R, Scotts Hill HS (TN), 2018
5-foot-9, 164-pound right-handed hitting primary outfielder, hits from a wide base with minimal stride, stay quiet with simple and repeatable swing that produced line drives in BP, showed bat speed with 85 mph exit velocity off the tee, ran 4.72 down the line, went 1-for-4 in game play with pull-side contact and an infield single. Does a good job of playing through the ball in the outfield on both ground balls and fly balls, long exchange, high-3/4 release with 78mph arm strength and accurate throws. Also participated as a SS in pre-game workout, moves well laterally, fields ball out front and funnels to body, 75 mph velocity across the infield.